McKinnie trade 'reality' Clabo says; unsure of starting status

Dolphins haven't named starting OTs for Patriots game

October 25, 2013|By Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel

DAVIE — Dolphins right tackle Tyson Clabo was both philosophical and funny Friday as he stood in the locker room and talked about the possibility of being replaced in the starting lineup by newly-acquired tackle Bryant McKinnie.

"In every career there are ebbs and flows," said the 32-year-old Clabo, who has allowed eight sacks.

"I guess right now I'm a little more ebb than flow. You just have to come to work and continue to do the things you've done, work hard, and let the chips fall where they may."

The Dolphins traded a conditional draft pick earlier this week to acquire McKinnie from Baltimore. Replacing Clabo would mean inserting McKinnie at left tackle and shifting Jonathan Martin to right tackle.

There's been no indication so far what will happen when the Dolphins visit New England on Sunday.

"Have they told you guys about any changes?" Clabo asked reporters.

Told there had been no such information, he dead-panned. "You guys think you're in the dark."

Clabo allowed the game-changing sack to Buffalo defensive end Mario Williams in last week's 23-21 loss to Buffalo. He's been struggling all season. He knows what to call the situation right now.

"Reality," he said. "It's reality. It is what it is. It happens to everyone at some point."

And he knows how to handle things.

"I try to be [an] adult," he said. "That's part of it, not throw a temper tantrum or anything stupid.

"I still have a job in the NFL, one of the greatest jobs in the world. So I'm just going to continue to do my job, which is whatever they ask me to do. That's what I'm going to do. If they ask me to backup, I'm going to backup. If they tell me to go ahead and play, I'm going to play. That's my job. I'm just trying to do my job."

Upgraded to probable

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (shoulder), who missed the Buffalo game and has barely practiced all week, was upgraded to probable on Friday's injury report.

In addition, defensive end Cam Wake (knee), cornerback Dimitri Patterson (groin), cornerback Brent Grimes (back), linebacker Koa Misi (knee) are listed as probable, meaning the defense could be at full strength for the first time since the season opener.

There's no telling how close to 100 percent Wake will be, but his pass rush combined with Patterson's experience as the slot defender in the nickel defense could help greatly against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Jenkins fined

Rookie linebacker Jelani Jenkins was fined $15,750 by the league for his hit on Bills quarterback Thad Lewis last week. The third-quarter play drew a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty.

Jenkins, a fourth-round pick who earns the league minimum $405,000, will likely appeal the fine.

Tough place to win

New England's Gillette Stadium is a house of horrors. The Patriots are 32-3 (.914) at home over the last four-plus seasons.

"They play very well up there," coach Joe Philbin said. "We told the team we're going to have to play our best game of the year. We were very upfront about it."